By Justine Flint Georges
New Hampshire Profiles
February 1952
HAVE you ever wished you had a royal title of king or queen, prince or princess, baron or baroness — something to elevate you from just plain Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith? Well, twenty some years ago Mr. William T. Frary, a Boston publicity agent, rose from his more prosaic role of private citizen to the title of Baron William T. Frary von Blomberg, when he was legally adopted by the late Baroness Adelheid Maria von Blomberg. Her father, Hugo, was a noted poet and painter, and she was a cousin of the former German Field Marshal Werner von Blomberg.
For the past twenty years the Baron has been a colorful figure in international relations and Christian work. One of the forces in the world today active in the struggle against communism is a religious movement conducted by the International Council for Christian Leadership. As a member of the board of directors of the Council, the Baron has contributed much of his time to that struggle. It is his wish, he says, to have all Christian groups join in the fight against communism, not in one unified denomination, but in unified spirit. The desire to see such a unification has sent him on a long series of world-wide tours, during which he has conferred with such national leaders as King Paul and the late King George of Greece, King Farouk of Egypt, President Auriol of France, King Umberto of Italy and Chancellor Figi of Austria, to name just a few. During conferences in the Near East, he talked with the Spiritual Leader of the Moslems, Prime Ministers of Iraq and Jordan, the Mayor of Bethlehem, and Prince Feisal of Saudi Arabia. King Abdullah of Transjordan recently gave a dinner at his winter palace at Jericho in honor of the Baron, who then traveled on to conferences with King Gustav of Sweden and the Vice Chancellor of Germany.
Hampton Is Home
Despite the Baron’s frequent trips to Europe and the Orient, he has a warm and personal interest in New Hampshire, where he maintains a country home in Hampton. Filled with exceptional antiques, this is a pleasant and quiet place where he can relax for a few days between his rigid schedules. His town house and office are located at 233 Marlboro Street in Boston.
During an interview with this writer one afternoon in Hampton, Baron von Blomberg revealed many of his views on international policies and problems. Because of his close association with the leaders in foreign countries and because he has spent so many years as a guest in these lands, Baron von Blomberg could rightly be called a “Citizen of the World.” He admits that he is able to adapt himself to the customs of each land that he visits and the people there become as his people. The Baron is particularly interested in the displaced persons of Germany and Austria and he has been appointed spokesman for twelve million German expellees. Since the end of World War II he has been constantly in and out of Germany and he decries the extreme poverty of these expellees. “They are the cancer in the heart of Europe,” he declares. He is strongly in favor of using them in a rearmament of Germany. “Most of these displaced men are forced to loaf when they do not wish to. They’re a problem and they wish only to be self-sufficient again. They despise Communism and would welcome becoming a part of the European Army,” the Baron asserts. He further declares that it is unnecessary for us in America to furnish troops in any quantity to a country which has so much untapped man power.
Attack Against Communism
In his campaign against communism, the Baron advocates the following methods of attack: first, a widespread adherence to the principles of Christianity; and, second, a public awareness of what is happening in the world today. “It seems typical of human nature to lament its condition after the damage has been done,” he points out, “instead of preventing it while there is still time.” As a third measure in combating communism, the Baron believes in force if necessary, and in connection with that he favors the use of Chinese Nationalist troops in Korea.
Because he so thoroughly enjoys people, the Baron is most perceptive in his accounts of European rehabilitation. To a question about present conditions in France the Baron replied that France is still an artistic country and has made great strides musically, Paris being very much alive with new operas and compositions. He told us that the French people are prone to deep and animated discussions on the state of the world, but they are able to look at the entire picture with a gayer heart than do the Germans, for instance. Baron von Blomberg insists that the best types, intellectually, culturally and spiritually, among the German population are all prepared to commit suicide should the Russians cross the border into western Germany. He reports that amazing progress has been made by the industrialists and he looks forward to eventual reconstruction on a nation-wide scale in Germany in spite of the threats of communism and the burden of its D. P.’s because, as he says, “The German people are indefatigable workers.”
Although he has lived in many of the world’s loveliest cities and traveled so extensively, Baron von Blomberg revealed that Bavaria seems to him the most ideal place to live. “I would be most tempted to settle there if it came to a choice between the United States and any other country,” he admits. “It is not only the quietness and beauty of the countryside that appeals to me,” he explains, “but also the deep sincerity of the people, their ‘earthiness’ and lack of guile.” It is easy to understand why such qualities would attract a man whose profession brings him so close to the confusion and intrigue of world relations.
Besides his connection with world-wide Christian groups the Baron has many titles in many organizations. The list in “Who’s Who” makes you wonder how one man could be affiliated with so many worthwhile projects. The answer is, of course, that Baron von Blomberg gives, not part, but all of his time to international work. The tired look on his face is witness to that. He admits that he wishes he could stop, at least for an interval, but a strong desire to do his part in world affairs keeps him forever on the move. The Baron is an honorary member of the Polish Home Army and Polish Prisoners of Nazi Concentration Camps, International Director of World Congress of Faiths, and Honorary Member of the Greek National Council for Public Enlightenment. These are just a few in the long list. Speaking four languages, he is public relations advisor to many royal personages including King Zog and Queen Geraldine of Albania and Queen Fredericka of Greece. In this capacity he is required to interpret for them the thoughts and public opinion of the western world. It is his duty also to keep them informed on any methods that might help to free their countries from Communist infiltration. Unofficially, he also represents various rulers in exile, Poles, Czechs and Arrpenians. It was while engaged in this work that he came in contact with King Carol of Rumania. When we asked about the personal characteristics of the famous King and his wife, the former Madame Lupescu, the Baron replied that he was surprised to learn that the ex-king is actually quite well informed and unusually intelligent. The Baron said he thoroughly enjoyed conversing with them and found the much publicized marriage to be, seemingly, a very happy alliance.
Of course we asked about the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and the Baron told us how he had met them on a ship last year. This was during the time when the Duke was completing his last book. The Baron had been invited to tea with the Windsors, during which they discussed world conditions. With a roguish grin the Baron admits to being disappointed in the Duchess. “To be sure she was attractive and very smartly dressed,” he told us, “but it seemed to me her charm was superficial. The Duke, on the other hand, was extraordinarily discerning about international problems and was a most interesting conversationalist.”
The Baron continues to pursue his chosen work, flying from one country to another, around the globe, while so often wishing he were in New Hampshire instead. He perseveres in spite of the fact that three attempts have been made on his life, obviously by those who would like to silence his loud and constant warnings against any threat to human liberties.
One of the fondest hopes of Baron William T. Frary von Blomberg is to see religious groups similar to the International Council of Christian Leadership become active in the Granite State. Von Blomberg, who himself has no church affiliation, described his main job as an international relations counselor as “trying to get Christians to work together against Communism.” “The hour is 11:59,” he asserts. “It’s too late for people to argue about whether they are Protestant or Catholic. They must work together. People abroad are praying for a world revival of Christianity. Such a revival could provide the spark needed to re-unite the world.”